Minnesota Wildflowers


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Pogonia ophioglossoides (Rose Pogonia)

Plant Info
Also known as: Snake-mouth Orchid, Adder's-mouth Pogonia
Genus:Pogonia
Family:Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; coniferous bogs, swamps, peatlands, wet meadows, open woods
Bloom season:June - July
Plant height:6 to 18 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: irregular

[photo of flower] Delicate single (rarely 2) irregular rose to hot pink flower 1 to 2 inches across atop a slender stalk. Sepals are petal-like, an upper sepal stands erect at the top, 2 petals—sometimes with darker pink veination—form a hood above, 2 lateral sepals open out to the sides. The lavish lower lip is unlobed but ornate with pink fringes and a yellow and white bearded throat. A leaf-like bract is at the base of the ovary behind the flower.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] A single leaf, typically about halfway up stem, 1½ to 4 inches long, up to ¾ inch wide, elliptical with a pointed tip, sheathing the smooth stem. Sometimes a second, long-stalked leaf is at the base of the plant.

Notes:

A seductive snake's mouth indeed or just a toothy smile, this orchid's delightful appearance is always a cheerful event. It also keeps good companions.

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  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at Savanna Portage State Park, the Red Lake peatlands above Washkish and the Okefenokee Swamp in Florida

Comments

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